• TheOgreChef@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Dean Koontz is kind of like the RC Cola of horror/suspense novelists:

    • See RC Cola in the store
    • “Hmmmm, it’s been a while, but I THINK I liked RC the last time I got it”
    • Purchase and consume RC Cola
    • “I kind of wish this was a Coke, but it’s not that bad, might as well finish”
    • Several years pass, go back to step 1

    As a side note, I LOVED Dean Koontz books back in the 80’s/90’s. They were fun and quick reads that are in the “high floor, low ceiling” realm of books.

      • TheOgreChef@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Think of it on a scale of 1-10. High floor means it’s not a stinker, so worst ranking would be in the 4/10 - 5.5/10 range. Low ceiling means it’s not going to be an all-timer, so the best ranking would be in the 6/10 - 7.5/10 range. Basically you’ll never HATE it, but you’re also never going to LOVE it.

          • nomous@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            It could be, all his stuff is extremely similar. He reuses character archetypes and narrative shifts throughout most of his stories.

            Early on in his career it wasn’t as bad but he’s been churning them out for awhile.

              • TheRedSpade@lemmy.world
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                1 year ago

                I’ve only read two of his series but enjoyed both a good deal.

                Odd Thomas (first book shares title with the series)
                Frankenstein (first book is Prodigal Son)

    • banneryear1868@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Basically moved on from youth novels with both Dean Koontz and Stephen King. The Odd Thomas series was a fun read at that age.

        • frezik@midwest.social
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          1 year ago

          Faygo Red Pop. It’s not really strawberry, it’s not really cherry, it’s not really anything. It tastes generically red. It’s also cheap and delicious.

        • jasondj@ttrpg.network
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          1 year ago

          But where is Cheerwine?

          If there’s one reason to go to the Carolinas…Cheerwine.

          I went for a Solar Eclipse but that won’t happen there for a while.

          • TheRedSpade@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            Don’t need to go to the Carolinas for Cheerwine. I live in Indiana and got it in my grocery order a few weeks ago. I had never had it before. It was listed as “Cherry Soda”. Imagine my disappointment when it turned out to be cherry cola. Gross.

              • TheRedSpade@lemmy.world
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                1 year ago

                I’ve never had Jones, but “straight cherry flavor” sounds like exactly what I was looking for. I’ve never been a fan of cola.

                On that note, while I agree with Dr Pepper being better than all the others listed, it doesn’t even belong on the list as it doesn’t have the slightest hint of cola flavor.